InterbrandHealth, a division of brandchannel parent Interbrand, believes that brand is the single most underutilized asset within the health & life sciences industry. Why?

The health and life sciences industry is an IP-driven space — one that is based on significant innovation. As new categories and innovation have slowed drastically over the past 10 years, there has been a proliferation of similar products where brand now has to play a key role.

“Brands have to work harder than ever to gain that trust and engage consumers in a more meaningful way,” notes Wes Wilkes, InterbrandHealth’s Executive Director of Global Strategy.Continue reading...

Looks like there's still no happiness (on either side) as the McDonald's Happy Meal battle in San Francisco rages on.

In November, mayor Gavin Newsom vetoed the Board of Supervisors' ban on toys in fast food meals if the meals failed to meet nutritional standards. But now a consumer group, The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), is jumping into the fray.

CSPI yesterday filed a class-action suit in California Superior Court charging McDonald's with violating the state's consumer protection laws, claiming that Happy Meals "constitute unfair and deceptive marketing." The suit was brought on behalf of Monet Parham, a Sacramento mom with two children.Continue reading...

Sesame Street is lending its clout with kids to the White House, deploying its chief lobbyist to bring the brand's might to the fight on childhood obesity in America. Elmo was dispatched to the White House this week to meet with Chef-in-Chief Sam Kass, to talk up nutritious school meals.

The above video was released today to promote President Obama's signing of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act — legislation that First Lady Michelle Obama has been supporting, including (contentiously) urging the US restaurant industry to step up, and launching the Let's Move campaign earlier this year.

Americans are eating healthier fare when they go to fast-casual restaurants these days, for sure. But some of the choices they make — and the reasons they’re making them — are surprising, to say the least. Three new studies of fast-food consumption raise eyebrows for different reasons.Continue reading...

Elmo isn't the only urging Americans to stay healthy this flu season. 

One year after the H1N1 flu epidemic (and panic) turned out to be a relative global yawn, U.S. retailers nevertheless believe they can leverage echoes of influenza anxiety into winning promotions this fall.

Target, Walgreens, Rite-Aid, and regional retailers including Jewel-Osco and Duane Reade are promoting themselves as convenient destinations for flu shots and for associated savings on seasonal-fortification products. They're already busy training more personnel in administering vaccinations, holding influenza-prevention clinics, and flocking to the flu-shot marketing theme.Continue reading...

As personal fitness and health care continue to be top of mind, sensor technology adds a valuable component in the battle of the bulge and the quest to stay healthy thanks to a marriage between BodyMedia and Bluetooth.

Body sensors linked to smartphones can now create full-body monitors as BodyMedia’s armbands communicate with Bluetooth-enabled smartphones.

As a small business attempting to build a brand in a space dominated by the likes of Nike, the innovative startup was founded in 1999 by four researchers at Carnegie Mellon University — three from the Mobile and Wearable Computing Lab and the fourth an artificial intelligence expert.Continue reading...

Just a few years after making its appearance in all-natural beverages and other “foodie” items, stevia-based products are stepping up their bid for a bigger share of the sugar-substitute market that has been dominated for a decade by Splenda.

Just as the battle over high-fructose corn syrup and sugar — and America's battle with obesity — heats up, Cargill’s Truvia brand has launched a multi-million-dollar advertising campaign with the tagline "Honestly Sweet" and plans to take the no-calorie sweetener brand’s relationship with consumers to the next level, from mere awareness to an emotional connection.Continue reading...

Trade shows that cater to product manufacturers and retailers are often good places to watch for trends in consumer marketing. The National Association of Convenience Stores annual trade show, which was held last week, is traditionally a venue for the introduction of new packaged goods products, because convenience stores depend on such items for their profits.

If this year's show is any indication, it looks like consumer products will continue to trend towards healthier and environmentally-sensitive offerings. For example, Powerade, which competes with Gatorade, is entering a new category next year with "Powerade Protein Milk," available in chocolate, vanilla and strawberry. This new low-fat milk beverage will "support rapid muscle recovery" and go head-to-head with Muscle Milk (which, curiously, doesn't contain milk).

Vitaminwater, meanwhile, is preparing to launch Vitaminwater stur-D, another in its ever-growing line of products, which now has over 10 different flavors, all related to one health benefit or another. Vitaminwater's new product, hitting the market late this year, will offer support for healthy bones and joints.Continue reading...